Northern Ireland’s music fans are gearing up for a weekend of festival frolics as Electric Picnic kicks off today in Co Laois.

Thousands of gig-goers will be making tracks to Stradbally Hall for the popular boutique-style festival. And closer to home, dance fans will be getting ready to rave at Planet Love, which takes place tomorrow at Shane’s Castle in Co Antrim.

Electric Picnic sees a large number of revellers from Northern Ireland celebrate the end of summer. The festival, which runs over three days, boasts not just an eclectic line-up of music acts, but an international comedy tent, headlined by Tommy Tiernan, a 24-hour cinema tent, the Body and Soul Arena and a silent disco.

Among the acts performing at Stradbally this year are Madness, MGMT, Flaming Lips, Basement Jaxx, Brian Wilson, Fleet Foxes, Zero 7 and Klaxons.

Also appearing are 2 Many DJs, fresh from their performance at Belsonic in Belfast last weekend, Mercury Prize nominee Lisa Hannigan and Northern Ireland’s Japanese Popstars and Two Door Cinema Club.

Van Dyk will be joined by a line-up of international acts including Fedde le Grand, Judge Jules and Dream Frequency.

They will perform across seven arenas, some of which have been shipped in from abroad. There will also be a new Hed Kandi VIP area, with relaxed seating, VIP bar and bathroom facilities and Hed Kandi DJs.

Northern Ireland’s best up and coming DJs will showcase their talent at the Love@HomeArena.